Best Driving Apps for Route Planning in 2025

In 2025, route planning isn’t just about finding the quickest way from A to B, it’s about safety, fuel efficiency, real time insights, and smart navigation that adapts to your journey.

Whether you’re a daily commuter, long distance haulier, or occasional road tripper, using a dedicated driving app can make a significant difference to your driving experience. But not all apps are created equal.

This post breaks down the best route planning apps for UK drivers in 2025, based on the latest user data, reliability scores, and safety enhancing features.

Contact us to report infringement.

Why Smart Route Planning Matters

According to the Department for Transport (DfT), over 25% of UK drivers experience route delays at least once a week, and almost 15% say they’ve been in a near miss due to sudden rerouting or unclear navigation.

With increasingly complex road networks and unpredictable weather conditions, the need for intelligent, data led route planning has never been greater.

What Makes a Good Route Planning App in 2025?

Before we dive into the top picks, here’s what we looked for when ranking the best route planning apps:

• Real time traffic updates

• Accurate ETA predictions

• Hazard and safety alerts

• Fuel and charging station integration

• Offline mode reliability

• UK specific road awareness

• Driver centric features (e.g., speed limit warnings, road closures, accident reports)

1. Waze (Owned by Google)

Best for: Real time, crowd sourced updates

Waze remains one of the most community driven navigation tools available. In 2025, its data engine is powered by over 140 million global users, offering incredibly accurate real time traffic alerts, police sightings, pothole warnings, and accident reports.

Its voice navigation has also improved significantly, with more UK voices and regional dialects added this year.

Why it’s safety minded: Waze’s road hazard alerts can help drivers avoid sudden braking and unexpected stops, common causes of rear end collisions.

Pros:

• User generated safety alerts

• Dynamic rerouting

• Works well in urban and rural areas

Cons:

• Drains battery quickly

• Can be distracting for some users

2. Google Maps

Best for: All around performance and reliability

Google Maps has doubled down on driver focused updates in 2025, integrating even more intelligent rerouting, EV charging stop suggestions, and road condition overlays.

Its lane guidance feature is especially helpful for motorway exits and complex roundabouts.

Why it’s safety minded: Clear visual instructions reduce the cognitive load on drivers, lowering the risk of last minute lane changes.

Pros:

• Extremely accurate

• Massive POI (Point of Interest) database

• Excellent integration with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay

Cons:

• Not as personalisable as Waze

• Traffic delay predictions sometimes overestimate in rural zones

3. TomTom GO Navigation

Best for: Offline navigation and precise speed alerts

TomTom has long been a staple in sat nav tech, and the 2025 GO Navigation app is tailored for serious drivers.

It offers precise speed camera locations, traffic jam predictions, and excellent route customisation, including scenic or fuel efficient routes.

Why it’s safety minded: TomTom’s real time average speed zone tracking helps prevent speeding in tricky variable zones, a common cause of fines and risk.

Pros:

• Exceptional map accuracy

• Works well offline

• No ads or distractions

Cons:

• Requires a subscription

• Smaller user community than Waze

4. HERE WeGo

Best for: Flexibility and privacy focused drivers

HERE WeGo continues to impress with clean UI, turn by turn navigation, and one of the most privacy focused policies on the market.

Its offline map support covers the whole UK with detailed information and integrates local public transport for hybrid trips.

Why it’s safety minded: Minimal interface distractions reduce the chance of visual or manual distractions behind the wheel.

Pros:

• No account needed

• Works entirely offline

• Multi modal route planning

Cons:

• Slightly clunky interface

• Limited real time data compared to others

5. Sygic GPS Navigation & Maps

Best for: High end driving features

Sygic’s 2025 app update is all about advanced driver assistance. With real time fuel prices, dynamic lane assistance, and live parking availability, it’s ideal for urban driving.

It also includes head up display (HUD) mode for night driving, projecting directions on the windscreen via your phone.

Why it’s safety minded: Fewer glances at your phone means your eyes stay on the road, especially valuable in city traffic.

Pros:

• Driver assistance extras

• HUD and dashcam integration

• 3D offline maps

Cons:

• Premium features require a fee

• Interface takes time to learn

Bonus Mention: AA Route Planner

Best for: Traditionalists and no fuss users

The AA Route Planner web tool is still one of the most straightforward route tools out there. It’s ideal for those who want to plan their journey ahead of time without downloading an app or logging in.

Why it’s safety minded: It encourages drivers to pre plan their route and understand key junctions before even starting the engine, a top tip from UK driving instructors.

Final Thoughts

As technology continues to evolve, so too must our approach to driving. The best route planning apps of 2025 are not just about convenience, they play a crucial role in accident prevention, stress reduction, and vehicle efficiency.

Choosing the right app for your driving needs can help you stay informed, prepared, and ultimately, safer behind the wheel.

Combine app use with a hands free mount and voice assistant to avoid mobile handling while driving, one of the top causes of on road distraction according to RoSPA (2024).

Elliot Sharp

Vehicle Safety & Insights Analyst, Smart Driving Column